Dieffenbachia cv. Morlof

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a new and distinct variety of dieffenbachia cv. Morlof that can be economically produced for large-scale ornamentation and decoration and obtained by vegetative reproduction wherein the chief characteristics of the new variety are the size of the foliar arrangement, the spindle-shaped form of the leaves garnished with pale yellow-white variegations, the small size and large number of the vegetative shoots due to the non-inhibition of the axillaries, the growth density and the much higher production of small-size slips.

The present invention relates to a new variety of Dieffenbachia cv.Morlof, distinguishable from the presently known varieties of this classand coloring by the following characteristics:

the relatively small size and very large number of the axillary shoots;

the variegation of the foliage;

the more spindle-shaped leaf;

greater productivity, as compared with the classic Tropic White variety,due to the numerous slips or shoots which can be removed from the stool,the larger number and greater density of stools which can be planted perpot or per cultivated square meter and, finally, by the possibilityoffered of removing slips or shoots that are about 30 percent smallerthan those of the classic Tropic White variety; and

a particularly large foliar framework or arrangement.

Because of the above-listed characteristics, the new variety providesthe horticultural industry with an attractive, ornamental dieffenbachiaplant with abundant foliage.

The applicants achieved their objective, creating a new variety ofdieffenbachia which would have the desired characteristics, throughsystematic selection and crossings.

The female stool (or root clump) was an unpatented and unnamed varietyof dieffenbachia selected from seedlings of a crossing of two otherunpatented and unnamed varieties but designated by the applicants forpurposes of identification as Morel 203 and Morel 81.

The male stool chosen came from an unpatented classic Tropic Whitevariety.

The hybridization operation used by the applicant is explained by thefollowing schema:

Female: (Unpatented variety -- Morel 203 × Morel 81).

Male: (Classic Tropic White variety).

The seeds obtained from the offspring of this crossing thereforeincluded a combination of the existing genetic factors present in theparent cells.

From the seeds of the crossing, the applicants grew 200 seedlings, eachone distinct both physically and biologically.

The abnormal specimens and those which exhibited characteristicsdiffering from those being sought after were discarded first. Theremaining specimens were asexually reproduced by stool division, and theresulting plants were evaluated against commercially grown varieties.The specimens were then selectively eliminated until a single specimenremained that possessed all of the desired characteristics, and this theapplicants denominated Morlof.

Unlike the classic Tropic White variety, the Morlof variety finallyselected characteristically produces numerous foliar shoots. Thisability to produce numerous shoots results in a large production ofleaves, much greater than that of the classic Tropic White variety. Thissignificant characteristic is present at the juvenile stage of the plantand enables it to be distinguished from the male and female parents andfrom other classic Tropic White varieties.

In overall appearance, under normal growth the plant exhibits a compactand dense growth habit and large foliar arrangement or framework. Thereis no inhibition in the development of the axillary shoots; it ischaracteristic of the Morlof variety that the axillaries can be seen ina vegetative state as soon as the cutting stage starts.

The applicants made numerous comparative studies between the newlycreated Morlof variety and the classic Tropic White varieties.

The Morlof variety has leaves which are more spindle-shaped and whichhave a surface area about 20 percent smaller than the classic TropicWhite varieties.

The variegation of the leaves is arranged in macules on both sides ofthe median rib and occupies 10 percent more surface area than that of aclassic Tropic White variety. The variegations of the leaves of theMorlof variety are pale yellow in both the juvenile and adult stages.

The technical tests made on 400 plants of the new Morlof varietyverified that the characteristics and properties of the said new varietyare rigorously asexually transmissible, that is, by vegetativemultiplication. The divided shoot, duly planted, will give the new plantits particular allure, especially resulting from its greater number ofleaves, such quantity being associated with the non-inhibition of theaxillaries.

The above-mentioned shoots will be marketed under the varietal nameMorlof. The name will be used on all commercial plants at the productionstage as well as at the marketing stage. It is thus that the new Morlofvariety of dieffenbachia, object of the patent, is obtained. Thebotanical and descriptive characteristics are listed below. Throughoutthis specification, color names beginning with a small letter signifythat the name of that color, as used in common speech, is aptlydescriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designatevalues based upon The R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The RoyalHorticultural Society of London, England.

IDENTIFICATION

To enable the identification of this variety of dieffenbachia, theaccompanying drawings (Sheets 1 and 2, colored photographs) show thecharacteristic elements of the plant described herein. The drawings alsoinclude black and white reproductions (Sheets 3 to 6) of the front andback of an adult leaf of the new Morlof variety and of a classic TropicWhite variety.

Sheet 1, FIG. 1 shows the initial stools: FIG. 1a, on the left, theclassic Tropic White; FIG. 1b, on the right, the new Morlof variety.

Sheet 1, FIG. 2 shows the young plant: FIG. 2a, on the left, the classicTropic White; FIG. 2b, on the right, the new Morlof variety.

Sheet 1, FIG. 3 shows various phases of development of the plant growthto the age of 15 weeks.

FIG. 3a shows a rooted cutting of the new Morlof variety in an 80 mmcup, Stage 1.

FIG. 3b shows the same rooted cutting repotted in a 160 mm pot, 3 weeksafter Stage 1.

FIG. 3c shows the same plant 12 weeks after Stage 1.

FIG. 3d shows the stool, from which 3 cuttings have already been taken,15 weeks after Stage 1.

Sheet 2, FIG. 4 shows the foliage of the adult plant: FIG. 4a, on theleft, the classic Tropic White variety; FIG. 4b, on the right, the newMorlof variety.

Sheet 2, FIG. 5 shows the adult plant stalk: FIG. 5a, on the left, theclassic Tropic White variety; FIG. 5b, on the right, the new Morlofvariety.

FIG. 6 is a black and white illustration of the front of a leaf of anadult classic Tropic White variety.

FIG. 7 is a black and white illustration of the front of a leaf of thenew Morlof variety.

FIG. 8 is a black and white illustration of the back of a leaf of anadult classic Tropic White variety.

FIG. 9 is a black and white illustration of the back of a leaf of anadult of the new Morlof variety.

DESCRIPTION

Plant: About 60 cm high. Compact and dense growth.

Young stalk color.--Light green (between Green 137C and Green 137D).

Adult stalk color.--Light green (between Green 137C and Green 137D).

Leaf: Rigid and variegated texture.

Color.--Young foliage: Front -- Bright green (green 137B) with paleyellow variegations (between Yellow-Green 145C and Yellow Green 145D).Back -- Dull green (between Green 137C and Green 137D) with pale yellowvariegations. Adult foliage: Front -- Very bright green (green 137A) andpale yellow variegations (Yellow-Green 144C at the outer edges of thevariegation, fading to Yellow-Green 145D at the center of thevariegation), midrib between Green 137B and Green 137C. Back -- Dullgreen (between Green 137C to Green 137D) with pale yellow variegations(between Green 139B and Green 139C at the outer edges of thevariegation, fading to Yellow-Green 145D at the center of thevariegation), midrib between Green 145C and Green 145D.

Development: Particularly strong vegetation with very abundant foliage.

We claim:
 1. The new and distinct variety of dieffenbachia substantiallyas herein shown and described, being particularly characterized in itsspindle-shaped leaves, garnished with pale yellow-white variegations; inits displaying a large foliar framework; and in its numerous vegetativeshoots due to the non-inhibition of the axillaries in quantities muchgreater than are usually found in the classic Tropic White variety,thereby resulting in a much greater growth density and in the productionof small-size slips.